Simulated telephonic control for electrically operated toys



L. V. LOVERDE SIMULATED TELEPHONIC CONTROL FOR March 18, 1958 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TOYS 7 Filed April 25, 1955 f2 2/8 2 #07: [a wrm-(c /zf Zoz/erde 'tllnited States Patent SIMULATED TELEPHONIC CONTROL FOR ELEC- TRICALLY OPERATED TOYS Lawrence V. Loverde, Chicago, 111.

Application April 25, 1955, Serial No. 503,586

6 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-61.58)

The invention which I hereinafter describe relates to a simulated telephonic control for electrically-operated toys, specifically, as here illustrated, for toy electric trains.

The object of my invention is to provide means which enable a toy train operator so to operate the train as to give to spectators the illusion that the operation of such toy train is controlled by a telephone conversation with a train crew at some remote point or by some telephonic responsive means.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive simulated telephone receiver which contains circuit make and break controls which may be operated by use of the telephone receiver in an apparently normal manner and without the necessity for hand manipulation of other control means.

Other objects, benefits and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of my simulated telephone speaker and earpiece shown in relation to a transformer and a section of track to which electrical power is delivered;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the earpiece of the telephone receiver, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the receiver shown in Fig. 1, but in which the electrical circuit is shown to be open.

I provide a simulated telephone receiver shell which may be cast suitably of synthetic or other non-conductive material. A simulated mouthpiece 12 is provided but only for the sake of appearance. The body of the shell 10 is hollow and is provided as at 14 with a hole through which two electrical conduits, preferably insulated light copper wire, may be drawn.

The earpiece end of the shell 10 is provided with an earpiece cover 16 which may be attached to the shell by a hinge 18 pivoted about a pintle 20. The shell 10 may be formed with a flange 22 and a shoulder 24 which will abut against and limit the inward travel of the hinged earpiece cover 16.

The earpiece cover 16 is provided with an inwardly directed stud 26 centrally located thereon.

Mounted interiorly of and on opposite sides of the earpiece portion of the receiver are spring contact blades 28 and 30 which are made of electrical conductive material and which are mounted on the sides of the receiver walls by screws 32 and 34 respectively. When so mounted, the blades 28 and 30 will normally contact each other near their free ends and I have provided each with contact points respectively 36 and 38.

One of the conductive wires 40 is fastened at one end by the screw 32 in bare wire conductive contact with the spring contact blade 28. The wire 40 then runs through the interior of the receiver shell 10, out of the opening 14, and thence to a terminal 42 on the transformer or 2 other power source 44 to which it is conductively attached.

The other conductive wire 46 is fastened at one end by the screw 34 in bare wire conductive contact with the blade 30. The wire 46 then runs through the interior of the shell 10, out of the opening 14, and thence to one of the rails 48 of the track to which it is conductively attached. The other rail 50 is conductively connected with the other terminal 52 of the transformer or power supply 44, by the wire 54.

It will be understood of course that current running through the two rails will appropriately operate the motor of an electric engine, track lights, switches, and the like which may be connected thereto. Such devices have not therefore been shown in the drawings. It will be understood of course that if the circuit is open so that current cannot run to the track, such other devices drawing current from the track also could not operate.

Adverting now to the earpiece end of the simulated telephone, it will be noted from the position shown in Fig. 1 that the circuit is closed, the contact points 36 and 38 being in contact relation with each other. However, as shown in Fig. 3, this contact is broken and the circuit is opened. a

Under normal conditions, the spring tension of the blade 23 causes it to bear against the stud 26, pushing it outwardly and causing the earpiece cover 16 to move outwardly about the hinge 28 until the points 36 and 38 are in contact. On the other hand, if pressure is applied to the outside of the earpiece cover 16, it will move inwardly about the hinge 18, causing the stud 26 to bear against the blade 28 and breaking its contact with the blade 30, to open the circuit. The shoulder 24 provides a stop against further inward movement of the earpiece cover 16.

The operation and relationship of the parts having thus been described, it may be further explanatory to describe a typical operation.

Visualize a toy train on the track at which may be located the passenger station, and further along the track a water tower. The train operator holds the telephone piece in a normal position. Speaking apparently into the mouthpiece, he calls for the train to stop at the passenger station. As the train reaches that point, the operator presses the earpiece with a slight pressure against his ear, thus opens the circuit, and the train stops as ordered. The operator then may give further instruction to the train crew, such as to proceed to the water tower, stop and take on water, and then resume its journey. By imperceptible release and application of pressure against the earpiece, the train will proceed accordingly to carry out such orders. Numerous other train operations may thus be carried out in apparent response to verbal instructions given into the mouthpiece of the telephone.

Other electrical toys and apparatus may similarly be controlled in operation by simulated telephonic conversation in accordance with my invention.

It will thus be seen that I have invented a novel control for toy trains and other electrically controlled apparatus which may be economically manufactured and which will provide added amusement and attraction, both for the operator and for observers. Numerous specific modifications and changes may obviously be made in the specific structure described and shown without departing from my invention. I desire therefore to be limited in the scope of my patent only by the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A switch for making electric toys apparently responsive to telephonic orders comprising a shell formed to resemble a telephone hand piece and having a simulated mouthpiece and earpiece, a pair of wires adapted to be inserted into the operating circuit for an electric toy and extending into said shell, wires in said shell, one of said pieces as between said mouthpiece and said earpiece being movable on said shell to operate said switch upon imperceptible pressure of said piece against the mouth, cheek or ear of the'operator of said toy.

2. A switch for making a toy electric train apparently responsive to telephonic orders comprising a shell formed to resemble a telephone hand piece, said hand piece including an earpiece cover hingedly secured to said shell, a pair of wires adapted to be inserted into the operating circuit for said train in series therewith, extending into said shell, a switch including a pair of contacts and a leaf spring mounting one of said contacts interconnecting said wires in said shell, said earpiece being movable upon imperceptible pressure against the ear of the operator of the train to operate said switch.

3. A switch for making electric toys apparently respons'ive to telephonic orders comprising a shell formed to resemble a telephone hand piece, said hand piece including an earpiece cover hingedly secured to said shell, a pair of Wires adapted to be inserted into an operating circuit for an electric toy'extending into said shell, a normally closed switch including a pair of contacts and a leaf spring mounting one of said contacts interconnecting said wires in said shell, said earpiece being movable upon imperceptible pressure against the ear of the operator of the toy to open said switch.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said interconnection between said earpiece cover and said leaf a switch interconnecting said spring comprises a finger projecting from the inside of said earpiece cover to bear against said spring.

5. An electric toy apparently responsive to telephonic orders comprising an electrically-operated toy, circuit means for delivering electric power to said toy, a controller comprising a shell formed to resemble a telephone hand piece, said hand piece including an earpiece cover hingedly secured to said shell, a pair of wires inserted into said circuit means in series with said toy extending into said shell, a switch interconnecting said wires in said shell, said earpiece being movable upon imperceptible pressure against the ear of the operator of the toy to operate said switch. t

6. A toy electric train apparently responsive to telephonic orders, comprising an electrically-operated toy electric train, circuit means for delivering electric power to said toy electric train, a controller comprising a shell formed to resemble a telephone hand piece, said hand piece including an earpiece cover hingedly secured to said shell, a pair of wires inserted into said circuit means in series with said my electric train extending into said shell, a normally closed switch interconnecting said wires in said shell, said earpiece being movable upon imperceptible pressure against the ear of the operator of the toy electric train to open said switch.

Pape Sept. 3, 1907 Braum Nov. 2, 1948 

